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Country Music’s New Mafia
Move over Big & Rich. Party’s over Gretchen Wilson. There’s a new group of red-red-red-red-rednecks taking over the genre. Although it seems overnight, the rising fame of Blake Shelton and his wife Miranda Lambert has been a steady climb. However, in the recent months the pair have lent their powerhouse celebrity to some of their country-fried friends creating a new kind of country clique. In Shelton’s latest video for “Boys ‘Round Here,” the singer parties with a few of the folks that have joined their posse including country-cutie RaeLynn and ladies from Miranda’s side project the Pistol Annies. Also joining the crew (not featured), pop diva Kelly Clarkson who’s marrying Blake’s manager and Reba…
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Music Monday: Women of Country Edition
THE WOMEN OF COUNTRY RELEASE TEASERS, VIDEOS, AND SINGLES TO KICK OFF COUNTRY MUSIC’S ACM WEEK. THE ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, HOSTED BY REBA McINTIRE, AIR SUNDAY, APRIL 15. Today the women of country music are making headlines with their jaw-dropping news, releases, and announcements. Early this morning, it was announced that Carrie Underwood will be debuting her new single at the 53rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM’s). The singer posted a cryptic Instagram post last night. The post seemed to tease potential artwork for a new single, which was confirmed this morning by the ACM announcement. This will be the singer’s first public appearance since an injury…
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Brooke Eden Talks Love, Music, and Authenticity
In a world where authenticity is often hard to find, country music star Brooke Eden stands as a beacon of courage and self-expression. In her recent interview with Chris Vetrano on The Gist, Brooke shared her inspiring journey in the music industry, discussed the importance of embracing her true self, and highlighted the challenges she’s faced. Known for her hit singles “Sunroof” and “Got No Choice,” Brooke Eden has captured the hearts of country music fans with her vibrant sound and fearless attitude. During the interview, Brooke and Chris delved into a variety of topics, ranging from her career highs and lows to her personal experiences as an openly queer…
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Is Real Housewives Coming to Music City?
ANDY COHEN SHARES HIS CHOICE FOR THE NEXT CITY IN THE REAL HOUSEWIVES FRANCHISE EXCLUSIVELY WITH E! NEWS While walking the red carpet at the 2018 Critics Choice Awards, Andy Cohen told E! News exclusively that he’d had his eye on a certain musical city for the next city in the Real Housewives franchise. “Nashville,” the Watch What Happens Live host told E! News’ Zuri Hall. “It’s a great city, and it has it’s own identity. There’s a lot of super rich people, and country superstars and music. It’s a great town.” So could the Bravo crews be heading south to showcase the lifestyles of the Nashville elite? There’s no…
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Music Monday: Chris’ Pop Christmas Playlist
It’s that time of year — Christmas is here! All week long, we’ll be spreading our fa-la-la-la-la’s and decking the halls to celebrate the nation’s biggest holiday of the year. Growing up, Christmas was less about the shiny packages and gifts under the tree. Instead, it’s always been about the music. The spirited, joyful, and often cheesy, music. As a child, I couldn’t wait (and often didn’t) for an appropriate time of year that I could pull out my Christmas albums and get into the holiday spirit. I was fascinated by the songs that every pop star wanted to sing — each, of course, with their own musical spin. Pop stars,…
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Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival Recap
The Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival took over The Park at Harlinsdale in Franklin, TN last weekend. While the weather could have been, the inaugural festival’s lineup couldn’t have been any better. Steven Tyler, Willie Nelson, Wilco, Weezer, Sheryl Crow, Cage the Elephant, and Band of Horses were just a few of the names to grace one of three stages at the two-day festival. A daylight-hours festival — sets began before noon and ended by 8pm both nights — transformed The Park At Harlinsdale Farm into a musical oasis complimented by food and culture offerings. The mood was not that of a night time festival, allowing the music to trump any other typical late-night antics. The threat of rain remained…
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CMT Music Awards 2015 Recap
Carrie Underwood Puts the “C” in the CMT Music Awards 2015 Show Last night, Nashville’s biggest week —CMA Fest / Fan Fair — kicked off with CMT hosting their annual awards show (CMT Music Awards 2015) to honor the top music videos of the year. The country crowd arrived at Downtown Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, while oddly selected –and paired– hosts Erin Andrews and Brittany Snow prepared for the big show. The men dressed down this year, while the women sexed it up. Perhaps fueling more conversation for the tomato vs. lettuce debate, the ladies dressed up more than a salad in Nashville Wednesday. And of all days, Hump Day. The…
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Shelly Fairchild Pledges Return To Music
Remember when country music was still country? Before the days of cross-genre, country-pop, tailgate hits? It was a fantastic time for music, especially in Nashville. It was also a time when Mississippi’s Shelly Fairchild was about to break out as the genre’s hottest new starlet. In 2005, Fairlchild released her debut album Ride on Columbia Records and toured with some of the biggest names, including Rascal Flatts and Blake Shelton. Her single “You Don’t Lie Here” was a Top 40 country hit on the Billboard chart and her voice was unlike any others. Following the success of her debut, Fairchild switched gears –both personally and professionally– and released the soul/rock record Ruby’s Money.…
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Country’s Fresh Face
The fresh faced Carrie Underwood has inked a two-year deal with facial cleanser, Olay, to be the company’s new spokesmodel. The print ads (seen above) will begin rotating immediately, while the television campaign will debut during the Country Music Awards tomorrow night, which Underwood will also serve as host. Joe Arcuri, VP of Procter & Gamble, said in a statement: “The partnership with Carrie Underwood is all about reaching women like her, ages 25 to 35, who are not currently using Olay now, or really any other skin care brand, because they think the products are very focused on anti-aging. We believe this campaign will bring these women into the…
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Country On Top
This week, music fans cashed in on the country craze, especially with the release of the newest effort from this month’s featured artist, Jason Aldean. The totals are still being counted, but it looks like Aldean’s My Kinda Party is projected to move about 200,000 copies in its first week (not a bad start), debuting at Billboard’s #2 spot. Taylor Swift‘s Speak Now will enjoy another week in the top position, projecting to move 350,000 in it’s second week. Also rounding out the top ten this week, it looks like Brad Paisley will land in that last spot with his greatest hits album, Hits Alive. Maybe it’s in preparation for this Wednesday’s…
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The Country Can’t Wait
If it wasn’t apparent by my lack of updates recently, I should tell you that I have been quite busy. Following a very successful run in Denver, I decided (yes, the decision was mine) to move to Nashville. And since I’m now officially a resident of Music City, I am excited to introduce you to some of the incredible talent that this town has to offer. Besides the great music you can catch on any given night of the week, the random run ins with my new neighbors, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, and the southern hospitality, Nashville is playing host to one of the biggest events in country music, the…
